Kyoto, the heart of Japan’s culture and history, served as the capital of Japan for over a millennium before the emperor moved to Tokyo in 1869. This city is revered for its rich heritage, boasting numerous temples, traditional tea houses, and preserved streets that echo with the Edo period vibes. Kyoto artfully blends the allure of ancient Japan with modern sophistication, making it a must-visit for anyone fascinated by Japanese culture.
Nestled among scenic hills, Kyoto is famous for its breathtaking beauty across all seasons. Whether it’s the pink blush of sakura in spring, the verdant greens of summer, the fiery hues of autumn leaves, or the serene snowscapes of winter, the city offers a picturesque backdrop year-round. Moreover, it’s a city that values its traditions including tea ceremonies, geisha performances, and festivals like Gion Matsuri, which provide a unique glimpse into the colorful tapestry of Japanese tradition.
A stunning Zen temple whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Originally built as a retirement villa for the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in 1397, it’s set around a reflective pond that magnifies its beauty.
Most famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari.
A mesmerizing, other-worldly grove of towering bamboo, it’s one of Kyoto’s most photographed sights. A walk along the paths, surrounded by the towering stalks of bamboo, provides a unique, Zen experience.
A historic temple established in the early Heian period. The temple is renowned for its large wooden terrace that offers stunning views over the cherry and maple trees below, which burst into a vibrant display of colors in spring and fall.
Kyoto’s most famous geisha district, filled with shops, restaurants and teahouses where geiko (Kyoto dialect for geisha) and maiko (geiko apprentices) entertain.
Built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period. Its palace buildings are arguably the best surviving examples of castle palace architecture of Japan’s feudal era.
Famous for its enigmatic rock garden, one of the most studied and celebrated in Japan. A Zen temple, it features a small, rectangular Zen rock garden with fifteen meticulously placed rocks on raked gravel.
Once the residence of Japan’s Imperial family, the palace is set within the Kyoto Gyoen, a large park filled with beautiful gardens and flowers.
Built to celebrate the 1100th anniversary of the capital’s foundation in Kyoto, this shrine is famous for its massive torii gate, which is one of the largest in Japan, and its beautiful gardens, designed by noted Japanese architect Ogawa Jihei.
A charming stone path through the northern part of Kyoto’s Higashiyama district, it follows a canal which is lined by hundreds of cherry trees. Ideal for strolls, especially during the cherry blossom season when the trees are in full bloom.